This year the Carnalea Karate Club, celebrated its tenth birthday and what a full year to remember...

The action ‘kicked off' in February with Sam Lewis, Laura Ackerman, Chris Lindsay and Kealin Murdock all completing their competition Table Officials course. This was closely followed by assistant coach Kevin Lewis becoming the first karate coach in the North Down area to be awarded a Sports Coach UK ACS qualification.

The club collected a hatful of medals at the North West Karate Open on 13 March, the pick of the bunch being Kealin and Sean-Pol Murdock who won gold and silver in their respective events. On 16 March, coach David Brashaw ran his first Northern Ireland squad training session. This led to the first ever two Northern Ireland ladies making the Senior European Championships Kata Final and at a first attempt, a local girl of 12 years of age missing the last 16 in the World Championships by .1.

On 27 March Sam Lewis fought for Northern Ireland at the much acclaimed Belfast International Open event. In the semi-final he lost 4-2 to World Silver medalist, L Comparin from Italy, but was still delighted to collect a bronze medal.

On 1 May following the annual Basho (tournament), the club held its ten year birthday celebrations. The guest of honour, the then Mayor of North Down, Councillor Anne Wilson presented the prizes. The best performances on the day were by Peter Eves, John Brown and Craig Brashaw.

On 12 May John Brown and Laura Ackerman completed their Child Protection training with Coaching NI. Following his world championship win in 2003, coach David Brashaw, was was honoured on 28 May by being named North Down Sports Person of the Year. Over the summer months he was guest instructor at the Zanshin club in Newtownabbey and at the Carlow summer course.

At the North of Ireland Open on 26 June top performances were provided by Glen Bailie and Kurtis Kane.

On 9 & 10 October the club had seven students representing Northern Ireland the Carlow International. They collected seven medals plus Glen Bailie was awarded Junior fighter of the Tournament. On 21 October David was awarded his world coaching licence by the World Karate Confederation in Germany.

On 7 November 5 junior members of the club fought for Northern Ireland at the TKA International in London. Against opposition from USA, Malta, Germany, England, but to name a few; student of the year, Levi Kane, brought home a beautiful silver trophy.

The last competition of the year was the Ulster Championships on 28 November were the show was stolen by the Bailie brothers; double Ulster Champions!

Also during the year 49 students completed grading to their next karate belts, with first class passes going to Claire McPeake, Aimee Reid and Margaret Savage.

Last Saturday (18 December) this most memorable of years was rounded off by the Christmas Party, were as always, the juniors had fun laughing at the seniors.

The club is extremely appreciative of all of the assistance from coaches and parents and would like at this time to say a very big thank you for their support. Merry Christmas to all our club members and we will see you back on Tuesday 4 January 2005.